In this paper we describe the development of a tool that allows planners to efficiently and effectively plan space within valuable areas of a shipyard. Traditionally, space is considered as resource ... [more ▼]

In this paper we describe the development of a tool that allows planners to efficiently and effectively plan space within valuable areas of a shipyard. Traditionally, space is considered as resource; however, it is difficult to accurately account for and plan its consumption with the current planning software tools available. The spatial scheduling tool described in this paper can be used by planners to manually or automatically reserve space within the shipyard for construction of large blocks over the entire ship erection period. The software is coupled with a heuristic optimization solver which is inspired by an algorithm used for "3D bin-packing problems". The result is the ability to efficiently generate and compare multiple space allocation alternatives in a reduced time with the ultimate goal of maintaining the critical ship erection schedule. Better solution than manual or semi-automatic allocation of blocks can be obtained through the optimization module. [less ▲]

in Proceeding of the 11th International Conference on Computer Applications and Information Technology in the Maritime Industries (2012, April)

Nowadays, EU shipyards that are facing difficulties due to the global crisis are often trying to diversify their activities. Some of them have already turned to the production of offshore windmill ... [more ▼]

Nowadays, EU shipyards that are facing difficulties due to the global crisis are often trying to diversify their activities. Some of them have already turned to the production of offshore windmill components. The installation and operation of offshore windmills are much more complex than onshore due to the distance and the depth of the water column. This creates problems specific to the production, installation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines. A tool for sequencing and installation simulation has been developed to assess the risks associated to the assembly of wind turbines parks via simulations of the different phases of construction considering various random phenomena such as weather conditions and uncertainties on production time. [less ▲]